The eyes that looked up into Seth's face were candidly inquiring. There was not a shadow of a smile on the man's face when he answered. "I've a notion you have few equals with a hoe." "I was afraid----" "Ah, that's always the way of folks wi' real talent. Guess you're an eddication with a hoe." Seth went on with his work until Rosebud spoke again. She was looking away out across the prairie, and her eyes were just a trifle troubled. "Then I'd best get my things changed and--bring out a hoe. How many rows do you think I could do before tea?" "That mostly depends on how many p'tater plants git in your way, I guess." The girl's face suddenly wreathed itself in smiles. "There, you're laughing at me, and--well, I was going to help you, but now I shan't. I've been down to see my Wanaha. Seth, you ought to have married her. She's the sweetest creature--except Ma--I know. I think it's a pity she married Nevil Steyne. He's a queer fellow. I never know what to make of him. He's kind to her, and he's kind to me--which I'm not sure I like--but I somehow don't like his eyes. They're blue, and I don't like blue eyes. And I don't believe he ever washes. Do you?" Seth replied without pausing in his work. He even seemed to put more force into it, for the hoe cut into the earth with a vicious ring. But he avoided her direct challenge. "Guess I haven't a heap of regard for no Injuns nor squaws. I've no call to. But I allow Wanaha's a good woman." Just for a moment the girl's face became very serious. "I'm glad you say that, Seth. I knew you wouldn't say anything else; you're too generous. Wanaha is good. Do you know she goes to the Mission because she loves it? She helps us teach the little papooses because she believes in the 'God of the white folks,' she says. I know you don't like me to see so much of her, but somehow I can't help it. Seth, do you believe in foreboding?" "Can't say I'd gamble a heap that aways." "Well, I don't know, but I believe it's a good thing that Wanaha loves me--loves us all. She has such an influence over people." Seth looked up at last. The serious tone of the girl was unusual. But as he said nothing, and simply went on with his work, Rosebud continued. "Sometimes I can't understand you, Seth. I know, generally speaking, you have no cause to like Indians, while perhaps I have. You see, I have always known them. But you seem to have taken exception only to Little Black Fox and Wanaha as far as I am concerned. You let me teach the Mission children, you even teach them yourself, yet, while admitting Wanaha's goodness, you get angry with me for seeing her. As for Little Black Fox, he is the chief. He's a great warrior, and acknowledged by even the agent and missionary to be the best chief the Rosebuds have ever had. Quite different from his father." "Guess that's so."